Did you or do you experience this?
By Jenaisle
@Jenaisle (14079)
Philippines
May 21, 2023 2:29am CST
At my age, I still experience stage fright when I speak before a crowd or an audience. I am not a seasoned speaker, but I have had experience in speaking in front of an audience because my previous job allowed me to address a venue full of people, or a class.
I did feel nervous back then, but before I deliver a lecture or seminar. The technique I used to calm my nerves was to take deep breaths. I would inhale deeply through my nose and then exhale forcibly through my mouth. It worked all the time because as soon as I finish my first statement the nerves would be gone.
Yet, nowadays, I still feel anxious even when speaking to smaller crowds. I thought, I have outgrown it already but that was not the case.
What about you? Do you have stage fright? If you're older, do you still have stage fright?
24 people like this
29 responses
@zainkhan121 (846)
• Pakistan
21 May 23
Stage fright is a common experience when facing a crowd's attention, and feeling nervous is completely normal. To conquer this, one can find assistance by jotting down key points on a piece of paper and referring to it when words escape you. Having the content or words in mind makes speaking or delivering a speech much easier and smoother.
4 people like this
@Jenaisle (14079)
• Philippines
21 May 23
@zainkhan121 Likewise! You've said it right. Perhaps, getting old and retired had diminished my public speaking skills.
@zainkhan121 (846)
• Pakistan
21 May 23
@Jenaisle Being on a stage boosts my confidence, thanks to my background as a teacher. As a teacher, you face numerous students in various classes, each with their own unique mindset. It can be exhausting to cater to the needs of all these individuals, but this experience proves invaluable in understanding the human psyche. It has greatly aided me in my later job, particularly when delivering presentations and similar tasks.
3 people like this
@Treborika (17423)
• Mombasa, Kenya
22 May 23
Public speaking is what itself intimidated me whenever I heard of it.
2 people like this
@much2say (54010)
• Los Angeles, California
21 May 23
I took a public speaking class in college . . . the instructor was most excellent. Not that I ever really needed to use it in actual public speaking, but it did help me here and there in life.
I was an adult figure skater and had to get a grip on stage fright. One coach taught me that nervousness was actually necessary . . . that gives you the extra boost of energy . . . but you have to see it as a positive thing to make it work for you rather than hinder you. It did help in competitions/performances, but you always feel it no matter what.
1 person likes this
@Jenaisle (14079)
• Philippines
21 May 23
Absolutely true. That's how I felt. I ALWAYS feel it even after years of speaking in front of people. However, I made it my motivation to do better and to boost my energy, just as your coach has said. Thank you for sharing this valuable insight with our group. 
1 person likes this
@much2say (54010)
• Los Angeles, California
23 May 23
@Jenaisle 
Also, I think it's acting 
. If you look or seem nervous, people/audience might be nervous about you too. So I've made it a point to look and act confident (no matter what I feel inside ).
There is an old deodorant commercial that says "Don't let them see you sweat . . . " - I think that applies here too .
Also, I think it's acting . If you look or seem nervous, people/audience might be nervous about you too. So I've made it a point to look and act confident (no matter what I feel inside ).
There is an old deodorant commercial that says "Don't let them see you sweat . . . " - I think that applies here too .1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (40790)
• United States
22 May 23
It's strange, but I've always been very nervous about speaking to a crowd, but I've always been able to sing without fear.
1 person likes this
@Jenaisle (14079)
• Philippines
22 May 23
Right, you always feel that nervousness but you would overcome it in no time at all. The anxiety gives you a boost to perform better. Don't you agree?
As much2say @much2say stated in her reply.
By the way, how are you, Vicki? Glad to see you here. I would like to hear you sing.
By the way, how are you, Vicki? Glad to see you here. I would like to hear you sing.2 people like this
@1creekgirl (40790)
• United States
22 May 23
@Jenaisle I appreciate that. I hope eventually I'll be able to sing at church again.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (30244)
•
22 May 23
I got past the stage fright thing by my teen years. Not sure just why, but I did. From oral reports in school, then high school and college, a person had to speak at times. Then I had a job that required me to speak in front of many others at times, and to teach--I did that without any fears by that time. The more you have to speak up, the easier it gets, at least it did for me. Any stage fright I had has been gone for a long time by now.
1 person likes this
@Jenaisle (14079)
• Philippines
22 May 23
That's amazing. You have had a lot of experience. It's true that the more you speak the easier it gets.
I did that too, but after my retirement, (not speaking before an audience for more than 5 years now) I now get nervous just thinking of being asked to speak a word or two in front of a small crowd. I guess, it's because I lack practice? 1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (30244)
•
22 May 23
@Jenaisle
Oh, do I ever understand the overthinking thing. I tend to do that way, way too much.
@BeeWeezer (18)
•
21 May 23
When I was in High-School, yes. My tears were falling when I was singing on stage, from start to finish. After that experience, my parents taught me how to conquer the stage. The rest is history.
This kind of fear is all but normal. But once we come to realize that we simply can't please everybody, we just do our thing.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (74633)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
21 May 23
I would hate standing in front of people. Then I finished university and took acting lessons hoping to get into showbusiness and making myself comfortable in front of people, Never became an actress but did become more confident,
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (74633)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
22 May 23
@Jenaisle nope not anymore three are no roles for elderly women. However, I can say I did go to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts for two years,
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83237)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
22 May 23
I had a stage fright when I was in high school, but when I entered college I promised myself to leave the past behind.I joined many organizations and became their president. I talk to crowds to campaign for the SBO and other organizations and won. Then I joined YMCA, Y'sMen's Club International, and Toastmasters Club and joined a brokerage and international marketing where I keep on talking. I no longer have stage fright. I now like to talk in a big crowd. Being a university lecturer matters most too.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (160319)
• United States
21 May 23
The more you do it, the less frightened you will become. I took a Speech class in high school. We had to get up in front of the class and give speeches. It became easier as time went on.
1 person likes this
@Jenaisle (14079)
• Philippines
21 May 23
@LindaOHio When I win the Lotto jackpot, I will invite you.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (160319)
• United States
21 May 23
@Jenaisle lol I would love to see the Philippines.
1 person likes this
@Treborika (17423)
• Mombasa, Kenya
22 May 23
I experienced that thing when I was in the elementary school. I was unable to speak before the pupils in the assemblies and I was the head prefect of the school.
However the thing is still with me but now I can control it and I am able to to speak before the crowd.
1 person likes this
@psanasangma (6336)
• India
22 May 23
I don't have much to do with public speaking. I have few experiences that sometimes that makes me anxious again, it is also depend on the audiences or group of people I am presenting or speaking.
1 person likes this
@Metsrock69 (3518)
• United States
21 May 23
I felt this when I first started my podcast and youtube channel. Now I also have intagram and tiktok as well as clapper
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (15837)
• Raurkela, India
21 May 23
I was always stage fit and am never nervous to speak in front of a crowd.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (15837)
• Raurkela, India
22 May 23
@Jenaisle The credit goes to my teachers in school who trained me how to face the crowd.
@freelancermariagrace (27240)
• Philippines
22 May 23
I have a stage freight. I am scared of speaking in public. I stutter. And I am an introverted person. I like to be alone most of the time.
1 person likes this
